Browns' Myles Garrett contract decision clashes with incredibly ironic stance on future

Billy Heyen

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Browns' Myles Garrett contract decision clashes with incredibly ironic stance on future image

What did Myles Garrett think he was signing up for?

It was less than a year ago that the Cleveland Browns' superstar requested a trade. He knew what organization he was in. He knew the future was bleak. He wanted out.

But then, don't ya know, the Browns dangled a record-setting contract out there, and Garrett signed it.

There are no surprises here. The Browns are bad this season, just like they almost always are.

Yet here Garrett is on Friday, setting out an ultimatum on the future.

“I am committed to winning," Garrett told reporters during a press conference. "If it’s the same thing (upstairs) then I’m all on board. Tanking or rebuilding, that’s not me”

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This is exactly what Garrett signed up for.

He signed a four year, $160 million contract extension with an organization still with its hands tied because it still has eight figures to shell out to Deshaun Watson after the worst trade in NFL history.

He signed that extension with an organization that, at the time of his signing, clearly had no plans for a future at quarterback.

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It's like Garrett had an angel on one shoulder and a devil on another. The angel wanted him to go display his superpowers for a team that could contend for a Super Bowl. The devil wanted him to take the cash.

The crazy part is that another team would've paid Garrett that much, too. It's exactly what happened when Micah Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers. His new team gave him a record-setting contract almost immediately.

Garrett chose that instead of playing hard ball too long, he'd just sign the big deal and be done with it.

Only now, he's not happy with what he signed up for.

It's the Cleveland Browns, man. Who could've imagined that things would be bumpy?

At this point, the Browns are in a no-win situation.

Garrett will probably set the single-season sack record Sunday, and then what, the Browns are supposed to trade him?

But if they keep him, do they just have to deal with a guy who chose of his own volition to stay in Cleveland who also thinks it makes sense to trash the way they operate?

For once, the Browns didn't do anything wrong here. They tried to keep their best player around, and he took the contract they offered.

Cleveland dug itself into this big hole, of course, but it doesn't have anything to do with Garrett.

He's the one that chose to stay. And now he's the one who wants an escape hatch that may or may not exist. Who could've seen that coming? Spoiler: Everyone.

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Contributing Writer